Crash Bandicoot's transfer to the PS2 is nothing more than a rehash of the trilogy and will leave many fans unsatisfied.
- Decent background environments
- Some of the new levels are a nice addition
- Familiar cast
Negative
- Character models looked much better before
- Mediocre music, and very little sound effects
- Noticeably not better than any of the Crash trilogy
Crash Bandicoot's jump from the PS1 to the PS2 is certainly disappointing over the great trilogy established by Naughty Dog. The game is more of the same platforming, collecting crystals and stuff. Some people will enjoy The Wrath of Cortex, but serious fans will be disappointing with the lack of improvement in the game, and new levels which aren't as appealing as any in the trilogy.
This game picks up where the first 3 games (from Crash 1 to 3) left off. Cortex and more familiar enemies are complotting something to get rid of the Bandicoot. Cortex invented a new super weapon but requires power to use it. That is when Uka Uka calls forth the 4 elemental masks, which with their power they will try to put a stop to Crash. Also a new character which you will see a lot throughout the game as a boss will make appearance. The story isn't much different than the original ones.
When last time Crash and co.'s story took place across time, this time most of the time is spent in Coco's lab or something. The whole concept is not new to fans, complete levels by collecting crystals and this time use their power to seal the elemental masks and move forward .There are 5 areas, and 5 levels in it, plus a boss for each after collecting the crystals. There are gems and also relics to collect making it no different than Crash 3. You move on to new stages each time you beat and boss and unlock a special power that will help you in the future. In most levels you will be using Crash once again, but some levels are for Coco, which are similar to Crash's, with the same platforming and stuff.
The core gameplay is mostly untouched with a few tweaks which make it feel worse than any other Crash Bandicoot game on the PS1. Controls are unchanged, with jumping, spinning and stuff. The levels also feel the same, but took a turn to the worse. You get new powers each time you defeat the boss. You fight the same character each time, but you'll know that because his face shows each time in the middle of the level warp. Each time the battle is different because of the elemental mask. The bosses are unique so you won't just clown into them and kick their butt, but each stage is different and requires some thinking time and a maybe a lot of trial and error, but once you get the hang of them and figure their tricks, it won't be some frustrating. The level of challenge escalated a lot since Crash 3 which was surprisingly each to complete, but Wrath of Cortex doesn't give you much chance. The enemies never target you, but some levels are pure annoying and not fun, especially some platforming. Some new stages are a welcoming edition, and maybe a bit more frustrating to get used to. Normal enemies that you encounter in levels aren't as good as the other ones in previous games. Bonus stages make a comeback and they are surprisingly difficult. The loadings are a bit long.
The move to the PS2 made the creators change appearance making them worse than they were, especially N.Gin which looks disgusting. Neither Crash, nor Coco or Cortex look especially brilliant, but Uka Uka seems to have kept his form but look less evil than ever. Naughty Dog took care of the first 4 installments of this mascot after handing the production to Universal, which since them hasn't improved the franchise, but making go down a few heights compared to the impact that the trilogy gave. The graphics don't look better but have more details, mainly the backgrounds. I prefer graphics of Crash 3 rather than these.
Strictly speaking the sound is awful. When compared to other Crash Bandicoot games on the PS1, the soundtrack of each level was great and sound effect where terrific. Wrath of Cortex misses the opportunity to put some decent sound effects. There are too little sound effects and what there is isn't good at all. For instance, the TNT and nitro crates that emit much sound when exploding. The voice acting is solid on the other hand. The opening cutscenes commences the story and shows how ugly the characters have become.
Considering you are a fan, Wrath of Cortex is a huge disappointment and step back from the superb game of Crash 3. The jump to the next-gen was not for the better. It wasn't enough to keep the same gameplay, the ugly character models, and mediocre sound diminishes the impact, but even if those were good, it still can't keep up with its predecessors. I was a big Crash fan, but even I can't like this as much as I enjoyed the others.
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Graphics = 6.8
The newly changed character models looks far worse than the original cast. The environments look good but not better than Crash 3.
Sound = 5.0
Mediocre music and lack of sound effects are bummers. The voice acting is solid at least.
Presentation = 7.2
Menu isn't new at all. The production values are well done. Loads a bit too long. Fixed camera isn't a problem.
Gameplay = 6.5
Changed for the worse. Untouched from previous installments, but it somehow doesn't feel as good. Bosses are a bit interesting since they are unique but tend to be frustrating. Uses the same concept as Crash 3 but fails miserably.
Story = 7.4
A good story which is still on the short side. Many familiar faces along with new ones. There aren't cutscenes other than the opening one, but Cortex will communicate to you with projected image. The elemental masks will talk to you before entering a level the same way as before.
OVERALL = 65 / 100
Crash Bandicoot's transfer to the PS2 is nothing more than a rehash of the trilogy and will leave many fans unsatisfied.